What is the process called where a single cell divides to form two identical cells?

The process where a single cell divides to form two identical cells is called mitosis. During mitosis, a cell undergoes a series of steps that lead to the replication of its genetic material and the division of its cytoplasm, resulting in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the original cell. This is a fundamental process for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in many organisms.

Mitosis consists of several phases, including prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, which ensure that the replicated chromosomes are properly distributed to the daughter cells. This precise mechanism allows for the maintenance of genetic consistency across cell generations, making mitosis essential for the stability of an organism's cell structure and function.

While meiosis also involves cell division, it is specifically designed to produce gametes (sperm and egg cells) and results in cells that have half the number of chromosomes, differing from the process of mitosis. Binary fission refers specifically to the method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria, which also leads to two identical cells but is distinct from the eukaryotic process of mitosis. Regeneration involves the regrowth of lost or damaged tissues and is not a method of